In New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (“Department”) acts as the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources.  It works in partnership with the public to:

a)     Conserve, manage and protect these resources and their habitats;

b)     Inform and educate the public about these resources; and

c)     Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources.

The Department is an agency of the state established pursuant to RSA 206:1.  The Department is under a commission known as the fish and game commission.  The commission consists of 11 members, each qualified pursuant to RSA 206:2-a, appointed by the governor and council.  The Fish and Game Commission recommends a single executive director candidate to the Governor, following a comprehensive and equitable candidate search.  The executive director is then nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the executive council.  Each candidate must be a competent administrator and have knowledge of, and experience in, the requirements for the protection, conservation and restoration of the wildlife resources of the state.  The executive director serves for a term of four years, has general supervision and control of all activities, functions and employees of the Fish and Game Department, and enforces all provisions of the laws of this state relating to fish, wildlife and marine resources.

In addition, it is the duty of the fish and game commissioners, as the citizens’ representatives, to be the stewards of the fish, wildlife, and marine resources of the state of New Hampshire and to set general policy in the following areas[i]:

• Conservation, protection, and management of wildlife populations and habitats, the collection of necessary scientific information, and the enforcement of fish and game laws for the purpose of sustaining healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and marine resources;
• Development, funding, and implementation of a long-range strategic plan to direct the operation of the fish and game department;
• Acquisition, development, and maintenance of public access to lands and waters for recreational use consistent with New Hampshire law;
• Public education and building support for department programs and objectives; and
• Establishment of positions on proposed legislation that affects fish, wildlife, and marine resources and the overall management of the fish and game department.

The Fish and Game Department operates under the general supervision of the Office of the Director and serves the public through seven major divisions.  The following are some of its divisions:

The inland fisheries division manages all freshwater fish in state and interstate waters.  Fisheries biologists and fish culturists work to provide New Hampshire anglers with prime fishing opportunities, and to protect and restore statewide aquatic habitat in the best interest of the public. This division is responsible for operating the Department’s six fish hatcheries, which annually produce about 250 tons of salmonids.

The law enforcement division enforces all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife. They also, by law, have responsibility for search and rescue operations and for enforcement of off-highway recreational vehicle regulations.

The marine fisheries division manages saltwater species, including fish, lobsters, clams and oysters. Its concerns reach beyond the New Hampshire boundary, and staff work closely with other states and agencies to protect and maintain marine resources for both commercial and sport fisheries.

The Business Division issues fishing and hunting licenses and associated permits, and collects the revenue from the sale of these licenses and permits.  Division staff supervises the purchase of all equipment, materials, supplies and services.

The wildlife division manages and maintains the state’s game and nongame species at levels consistent with available habitat, and promotes the security of that habitat.  Wildlife biologists conduct surveys to monitor populations and oversee applied research that provides them with essential information.  The protection, restoration and active management of wildlife habitat of public lands throughout the state is accomplished through the division’s staffs, which also provide technical assistance to private landowners.  Those services also include assistance in preventing or reducing wildlife damage to orchards, agricultural lands and other private property.

The facilities and lands division manages the planning, design and construction of public works projects, such as boat ramps and access sites throughout the state. This division is also responsible for the coordination of land conservation projects, including purchase and sale, easements, land use agreements and/or special use permits.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

[i] RSA 206:4-a.